LeBron James on Staying Grounded, Building a Legacy, and What’s in His Hennessy-Powered 'Gold Medal Drink'

In the event that safe and paradox-free time travel is one day made possible, LeBron James is ready to welcome a very special guest to The Shop: himself.

"Block out the noise and stay close to the people who have been with you since day one," King James, fresh off bagging his third gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, tells me when asked what he would impart to his high school self in this scenario. "It’s not easy but following that blueprint has helped me stay grounded over the years."

Achieving any manner of groundedness, it should be noted, is presumably no easy task for someone in LeBron’s position. True genius transcends completely, a gift to the world of the highest order no doubt, with the four-time NBA champion in decidedly rare company indeed.

Soon to enter his 22nd total season in the league, and seventh with the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron is now on the precipice of bringing a long-held, frequently cited personal goal of his to life. Joining him on the lineup for the JJ Redick-led team, thus placing LeBron in even rarer company, is his oldest son, former USC Trojans Bronny James.

But first, LeBron and Hennessy are launching their new Hennessy Limited Edition by LeBron James V.S bottle collaboration. Fans will note the reimagined take on the familiar Hennessy Bras Armé, complete with the fitting addition of a crown. To commemorate the moment, the first of its kind between the cognac makers and the league’s all-time points leader, I was enlisted to speak with LeBron about the timely collaborative effort.

While LeBron sadly did not end up revealing what he’s been listening to as of late, he did break down what’s in a signature cocktail he’s dubbed "the Gold Medal Drink." He also took my physics-defying The Shop inquiry in stride, resulting in some self-to-self, present-to-past advice we’d all do well to heed.

As for that limited-edition Hennessy Limited Edition by LeBron James V.S bottle, you'll be able to buy it starting Sept 30.

Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. Obviously, your appreciation for Hennessy is well-documented, as most recently seen in your Mitchell & Ness collab jacket look in the tunnel earlier this year. But what makes now the right time to do a formal collaboration together?

This has been a long time coming. I’ve been a fan of Hennessy for years and always appreciated the brand’s commitment to sport and community. I had a chance to work with them for the Mitchell & Ness collection and it evolved organically from there. It’s been a natural fit from the start and it’s amazing to see this partnership come to life.

What’s your favorite personal memory involving Hennessy?

It’s hard to pick just one. Hennessy is embedded in culture whether it be sports or entertainment and it’s been a big part of my adult life. I’ve enjoyed many moments relaxing and enjoying a cocktail or celebrating with a glass of V.S.

You had a chance to pay the Maison in Cognac a visit recently, which seems to have informed the excitement surrounding this link-up. What can you tell us about that experience?

It was an unbelievable experience getting to embed myself in the brand and see just how much time, effort, and expertise goes into the creation process from grape to bottle. I also didn't realize how much history is behind the name Hennessy. Learning about Hennessy’s influence on how the region developed, on top of what it means culturally, was fascinating to learn as someone working to make a lasting impact in my hometown.

The design of the limited-edition V.S bottle is truly something to behold. How involved were you with this part of the process, and was there anything specifically you insisted on being represented in the bottle’s design?

It was definitely a team effort as far as designing the bottle, from the selection of colors to the logo lockup of the crown and Bras Armé. As a fan of art, seeing the bottle transformed into a unique piece with my personal brand alongside an iconic brand like Hennessy’s is a little surreal. For sure a collectible and something my mom enjoyed very much. Anything with my face on it she loves.

What has the larger collaborative process been like? Can we expect more from you and Hennessy in the future?

It’s been an eye-opening process for me. Being on the ground in Cognac, you can feel and see Hennessy’s impact on the region. It’s not just a drink for them, it’s a way of life. Which means a lot to me as a kid from Akron learning every day how to leave a legacy behind that’s bigger than basketball. The release of this bottle is an exciting moment for us both and so we’ll take the time to appreciate the journey we’re on together.

I heard you have a creative spin to your Hennessy cocktail. Any serving and enjoying tips you can share?

We did a little experimenting after a tasting in Cognac and I decided to put a little something together with the Hennessy V.S by adding some ginger beer and lime, called it the Gold Medal Drink. Super easy to make and even better when it’s chilled.

This next question may come off as a little trite, but bear with me. If you could invite your high school self on as a guest on The Shop, what’s the first thing you would ask him? Would you offer him any advice? What do you think your younger self would think of all that’s transpired over the years?

Great question. I’d probably ask him what his goals are for the next five, 10, and 20 years. In terms of advice, I’d just tell him to keep working hard every day and getting better at your craft. Block out the noise and stay close to the people who have been with you since day one. It’s not easy but following that blueprint has helped me stay grounded over the years.

Massive congrats on helping lead Team USA to bag another gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. What was your favorite behind-the-scenes moment from this year’s games?

First and foremost, getting to carry the United States flag alongside Coco [Gauff] for the Opening Ceremony was unbelievable. As a kid from Akron, representing my hometown, our country, and as the first male basketball player to carry the flag, [it] was truly an honor and a memory I won’t forget.

Outside of that, all the downtime spent with my teammates and family. Seeing my boys on the sideline as young adults on their own basketball journeys and attending different events with my wife and daughter meant a lot to me as a father and husband. I’ve been lucky enough to represent the USA at the Olympics four times and each experience has offered something different. I think this summer was really about taking it all in, savoring the big and small moments.

While in Paris, you made sure to show support for the women’s Olympic team, who also took home gold at this year's games. 2024 has seen the WNBA enjoying an undeniable boost in popularity, making for an exciting time for basketball fans. What do you hope for the league moving forward, as it continues to generate new generational stars while inspiring new fans of all ages?

I love where the league is now and think the future is very bright. There are some incredible talents like A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Napheesa Collier, and Caitlin Clark who are redefining the game and moving the league forward. Getting the chance to see the women’s team play and take home gold the day after us was a moment, for sure. I love seeing the W getting the shine it deserves.